Vargas talks dispute: ‘All the data is not on the market’
New York Mets left-handed pitcher Jason Vargas began — and answered questions — for the primary time since being fined for an expletive-filled confrontation with a reporter, and mentioned he would not consider that “all the data” is on the market.
Vargas needed to be restrained from going after a Newsday beat author within the Mets’ clubhouse following a loss on Sunday at Chicago’s Wrigley Area. He known as it “an unlucky distraction” on Monday.
On Wednesday, after the Mets’ 5-Four loss in 10 innings to the host Philadelphia Phillies, the 36-year-old hurler was requested for a proof of the incident.
“It was an unlucky confrontation,” mentioned Vargas, who allowed two runs and struck out 10 in 6⅓ innings. “I do not suppose all the data is basically on the market. I do not suppose this can be a time to get into that. However I believe that anyone that is aware of me, anyone that has performed with me, there’s by no means been a state of affairs like that. So to suppose it occurred out of the blue, it is silly.”
Vargas declined to elucidate what he meant.
“It is over,” he mentioned. “Our group made a press release. We put an finish to it. However I believe it is fairly apparent all the data is not on the market.”
Mets supervisor Mickey Callaway additionally was fined for his involvement within the verbal confrontation. He apologized Monday.
Sunday’s incident adopted a tense postgame information convention, throughout which reporters requested Callaway repeatedly about his determination to stay with reliever Seth Lugo throughout the eighth inning as a substitute of going to nearer Edwin Diaz. Lugo allowed a go-ahead three-run homer to the Chicago Cubs’ Javier Baez.
After the information convention, Callaway walked previous the Newsday reporter, Tim Healey, and different reporters within the clubhouse. Healey mentioned to Callaway, “See you tomorrow,” and Callaway responded by calling Healey a “m—–f—–.” Callaway walked away after which returned, cursing at Healey once more and telling him to go away the clubhouse.
“I believed he was leaving for the day, so I mentioned, ‘See you tomorrow, Mickey,'” Healey mentioned. “After which he mentioned, ‘Do not be a smart-ass.'”
“I attempted to inform him I did not imply something by it,” Healey added. “I used to be simply saying, ‘I am going to see you tomorrow.’ After which he mentioned, ‘Get this man out of right here,’ and that received the eye of Jason Vargas.”
Vargas stared down Healey and shouted at him, together with saying, “I am going to knock you the f— out, bro,” in response to a Yahoo Sports activities account. Vargas finally tried to maneuver towards Healey however was held again by teammates, together with Carlos Gomez and Noah Syndergaard.
The Related Press contributed to this report.